Fishing Reports

Central Wisconsin Lakes AND the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin's Marathon and Lincoln Counties near Mosinee and Wausau...

Editor's note: The daily bag limit for walleyes on many lakes and the Wisconsin River in Central Wisconsin (always check the regulations on the particular water, first) is five (5) fish per day throughout the year while the daily bag limit for walleye in many areas north of Mosinee and Wausau may only be two to three fish because of Native American spearing initiatives and the resulting DNR "quota limits".

Muskie, walleye, bass, crappies and bluegills all active, with bear hunters with tags drawing in good numbers of bears to their bait stations

Follow up:

Water is generally high in the Central Wisconsin area.

Muskie have been active in the Central Wisconsin area, mainly early and late in the day. With the off-colored water, use bright colored spinnerbaits and noisy topwater baits for the best action. Fish shallow weeds in 3 to 5 feet of water.

Walleyes are continuing their good bite in the Central Wisconsin area. Good action by long line trollng Rapalas or Thundersticks in orange or chartreuse. Look for the walleyes to be in 4 to 8 feet of water early and late in the day and during mid day hours target 12 to 14 feet of water.

With the high water in the Central Wisconsin area, bass have been holding tight to rocky shorelines. Jigs tipped with plastics tossed right up to the shoreline and slowly worked through the rocks will take these finicky fish.

Crappies and bluegills remain active in the Central Wisconsin area, and can be taken with a variety of methods. For best results just go with a small slip bobber set at an appropriate distance from your baited hook. Use worms, leeches or minnows depending on your target species of the day. Look for the crappies to be in 14 to 18 feet of water, about 4 feet off the bottom, and the gills will be in 2 to 4 feet of water close to the bottom.

Central Wisconsin bear hunters with fall bear tags are seeing some nice bears coming into their bait stations. Cookies, pastry, and molasses have been really drawing them in. Keep your baits fresh, and you will have them feeding "right out of your hand" by the time the season opens.

(This report based on interview with licensed guide and trapper Phil Schweik of Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Service, Mosinee. Wisconsin)